YCAA Chair Liz has visited A Level students at Yeovil College to talk to them about the Yeovil Literary Prize, the Yeovil Literary Festival and all things bookish.
Liz spoke with a group of first and second year students studying a variety of subjects but all with an interest in literature and the arts. They included aspiring writers, those interested in careers in publishing and youngsters who hope to run bookshops in the future. Liz picks up the story.
Back to College
I can tell you how I have had my deep respect for our young people further enhanced recently. I was invited to visit Yeovil College and meet the students studying English Language and Literature A Levels. I was impressed by the number of them in the audience, as well as their wide range of reading experience. Now they are exploring our wonderful language and learning skills which will craft their futures.
I saw these young people being respectful of each other, and rather like a good wine, they are maturing beautifully. They are interested in our writing competition – the Yeovil Literary Prize – which can offer opportunities for them to try the various categories of their particular skill.
Writing Aspirations
Some students stayed behind to talk with me afterwards and I was further impressed. One aims to be a journalist, two were poets, one had already written a novel, and finally one wrote Rap. They highlighted favourite authors and one recommended a ‘good writer’ of Young Adult books. I later contacted this author and she will judge that category in our 2025 competition. Yes, I was delighted with those students!
Postscript
Next day, and totally unrelated to my wonderful visit to the College, I was attempting to cross Mudford Road on the Five Ways Roundabout. There was a busy group of students waiting to cross and I dallied, thinking there was not enough time to cross in front of the fast-moving traffic, so I stopped. Two more students tumbled along to catch up and one of them slightly tripped on my feet. An ordinary occurrence until I finally reached the far side. There, waiting for me, were the two students and the first thing they said was ‘Sorry, are you alright?’ I was fine, no harm done, and thanked them for caring. On a second occasion in two days, I was totally impressed by students from Yeovil College.
I have always had good faith in our younger generations as the majority of them work hard to achieve their best in a challenging world. Yes, I am sure our future is in safe hands. Thank you, students of Yeovil College and every one of you.
For more information about the Yeovil Literary Prize, Yeovil College or the Yeovil Literary Festival, please visit their respective websites.